Integrated information processing system for geospatial media

ABSTRACT

An integrated information processing system for geospatial information processing. The information processing system includes a scheduling module, an acquisition module, a production module, a distribution module, a geospatial data specification, and a geospatial media recorder. Each module incorporates a common object database management system. The scheduling module is a specially configured module suitable for processing requests for media acquisition. The acquisition module is a specially configured module suitable for acquiring visual, audio, textual, and geospatial entity information. The production module is a specially configured module suitable for producing integrated digital media datasets and information. The distribution module is a specially configured module suitable for distributing integrated digital media datasets and information. The geospatial data specification includes an object class which serves to provide geospatial referencing of an entity or object. The concatenated data attribute of geospatial data serves to geospatially reference entities or object in a video segment. The geospatial media recorder serves to encode geospatial data onto video frames at the time of video acquisition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/145,694, filed Jul. 26, 1999, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to media information processingsystems and, more particularly, to an integrated system of specializedequipment modules for media information processing.

2. Description of Related Art

The United States Census Bureau TIGER/Line198 files are a computerreadable geographic database for the United States. The original sourcesof the database include U.S. geological survey maps, the 1980 U.S.Census Bureau DIME files, and various other sources. While thesegeographic files are usable as a base for a geographic informationsystem, they are not recommended for detailed applications which requirea high degree of positional accuracy. This is because the positionalaccuracy of the information contained in the file is limited by thescale of the U.S. Geological Survey maps from which the files arecreated.

In addition, information in the TIGER/Line files is only as complete andaccurate as the source documents used by the U.S. Census Bureau anderrors often occur in compilation and translation of information fromsource documents. Further, the information is only as current as theyear in which the source documents were compiled and translated.

Because the information contained in a geographic information systemsuch as the TIGER/Line files must be continually updated to reflect themost recent changes in the information contained therein, it isdesirable to provide a method for collecting and processing video andspatial position information in a manner that allows updated attributeinformation to be tied to previously obtained spatial positionalinformation.

One way in which to acquire accurate spatial position information isthrough the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS). The GlobalPositioning System is a network of satellites used to determinelocation. Since the orbital position of each satellite is known, a GPSreceiver on the surface of the earth can accurately measure the time ittakes for the transmitted signal to reach the receiver's location onearth. This measurement provides the distance between the satellite andthe receiver. To obtain three dimensional positioning, the GPS receivertakes this measurement from each of at least four orbiting satellites.Using geometric principles, the information gathered by the GPS receivercan be used to calculate a tetrahedonal volume defined by foursatellites and the receiver, and thus calculate an accurate spatialposition on earth.

While the Global Positioning System can provide accurate spatialposition information, problems arise when the GPS receiver is not ableto receive information from at least four orbiting satellites. Thisoccurs when the GPS receiver is obstructed by geographic features suchas canyons or bluffs as well as man-made structures. Problems also arisewhen a signal transmitted by an orbiting satellite is reflected from anearby object, giving the GPS receiver one or more incorrect readingsfrom that satellite.

A further problem with the use of the Global Positioning System toprovide spatial position information is that spatial position readingsare often provided by the GPS receiver at a relatively slow rate; thisdepends on the quality of the receiver.

Several patents illustrate state-of-the-art distributive and geographicinformation systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,418 issued on Nov.24, 1987 to John R. Fox et al. describes a wideband cable network inwhich several wideband services, such as television or video signals,can be provided simultaneously from a central service position to aremote wideband switch, to which several customers are connected. Thecentral position is connected to the wideband switch by one or morepassively tapped optical fibers, through which fixed-time services areprovided and the central service position is connected to the widebandswitch though one or more dedicated optical fibers, through which acustomer can request and receive “on demand” wideband services.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,532 issued on Dec. 6, 1994 to Alexander Gelman etal. describes a communications architecture and method for distributinginformation services.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,713 issued on May 23, 1995 to Richard Allendescribes an apparatus and method for an on demand data delivery systemfor the preview, selection, retrieval and reproduction at a remotelocation of previously recorded or programmed materials.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,518 issued on Jun. 18, 1996 to Mark Bradshaw et al.describes a system and method for collecting data to form a geographicinformation system database.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,025 issued on Dec. 10, 1996 to Ronald D. Keithley etal. describes an apparatus and method for interactive communication fortracking and viewing data. The apparatus is used for acquiring anddisplaying information relating to a specific field of interest.However, the apparatus does not describe specific methods for acquiringthe information residing in the database or the manner in which theinformation will be related.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,946 issued on May 27, 1997 to Theodore M. Lachinskiet al. describes a method and apparatus for collecting and processingvisual and spatial position information from a moving platform. GlobalPositioning System data is captured separately while video recorderscapture moving image sequences from a vehicle mounted apparatus. TheGlobal Positioning System and Greenwich Mean Time data are correlated tovideo moving images during post video processing. However, Lachinski etal. fails to capture geospatial and video dimensionalities within animage at the time of creation. Moreover, Lachinski et al. fails toprovide adequate functionalities necessary for efficient dataprocessing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,719 issued on Mar. 31, 1998 to James T. Tsevdos etal. describes a point-of-sale turnkey kiosk system for supplying digitalcontent. The system employs geographically dispersed servers to providecontent to the different kiosk locations. However, the system onlyprovides information to a single computer network and is not developedfor convergent delivery of various media data types and data sets to avariety of digital delivery networks.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,977 issued on Apr. 7, 1998 to Robert Lee Hughesdescribes a video real estate information service that includes regionaloffices that provide information over a computer network to local realtyoffices. The drawback of this service is that the service fails tocalculate the data capacity required for providing video over a datanetwork. Another drawback is that the lengths of the video segments arenot identified and, therefore, an unknown capacity of the network mustbe designed. Moreover, the service only provides information to oneclass of user and to a single computer network. The service is notdeveloped for convergent delivery of various media data types anddatasets to varying digital delivery networks.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,810 issued on Dec. 22, 1998 to James P. Sotiroff etal. describes a geographic specific information search system andmethod. The system is configured to display a graphical map and to allowthe user to narrow the geographical search area to the desired region.The system is also configured to accept a query criteria and search adatabase containing property listings for properties listed in thedesired region meeting the entered search criteria.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,155 issued on Feb. 2, 1999 to Douglass Williamsdescribes a video on demand distributed network for viewing real estatemedia. The patent describes distribution over large distributed datanetworks but never identifies the end use of the data. A drawback ofthis service is that it provides information to one class of user. Theinformation is also only provided to computer networks and is notdeveloped for convergent delivery of various media data types anddatasets to varying digital delivery networks.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,113 issued on Apr. 6, 1999 to Timothy McGrath et al.describes a system and method for providing incremental updates ofgeographical data in navigation systems. However the date that an objectis created or its geospatial location is not captured except for when anobject is involved in a transaction. This level of geographic detail isinsufficient to provide detailed geospatial information on mediaproperties and suffers deficiencies that include lack of dimensionalityand timestamping. Additionally, a distribution scheme that includesdigital delivery networks is not identified.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,638 issued on Jun. 1, 1999 to Richard D. Allendescribes a detailed network for storing and retrieving movies on demandfrom video retail stores or cable television systems. The networkcapacity cannot be accurately determined because of the different sizevideos that will be accessed over the network. Furthermore, noidentification of the processes needed to acquire geographic media fromthe source has been identified. The system described does not provideinformation to networks for broadcasting or cablecasting and is notdeveloped for convergent delivery of various media data types anddatasets to varying digital delivery networks.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,985 issued on Aug. 31, 1999 to Babin et al,describes a three-dimensional, computer simulated, interactivemultimedia geographic system. The system does not have a distributeddelivery capability or geospatially referenced derived entities. Thesystem does not provide information for broadcasting or cablecasting andthe system is not developed for convergent delivery of various mediatypes and datasets.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,722 issued on Sep. 14, 1999 to David S. Lampert etal. describes a system and method for forming and using a geographicdatabase. The database is populated with geographic entities and theseentities are described as having a unique physical locationidentification record or data attribute, which may be comprised ofgeospatial parameters. The geospatial parameters that are recommendedfor each entity are geographical coordinates and optionally absolute orrelative altitude. The disclosure further describes a method ofparcelization, representing a physical region based on geographicparameters. Although the location identification record may incorporategeographic coordinates and altitude, the system does not useconcatenated geospatial parameters or timestamping data.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,109 issued on Oct. 19, 1999 to Vijaya S. Israni etal. describes a system and method for use and storage of geographic dataon physical media. Representations of the data are based on navigationaldimensional units, which expresses geographic coordinates as a derivedunit of measure. As such, this system does not include temporalparameters and therefore suffers the same deficiencies as U.S. Pat. No.5,953,722.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,078 issued on Nov. 23, 1999 to Michael R. Levinedescribes a method and apparatus to receive information over a wide-areanetwork based on geographic location. In this apparatus the informationprovided is based on zip code geographic orientation. This level ofgeographic detail is insufficient to provide detailed geospatialinformation on entities and suffers deficiencies that includes lack ofdimensionality and timestamping.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,924 issued to John Bair et al. describes a methodand apparatus to produce sequenced queries that takes into account arange of values of a variable defined by a start and end point inperforming the query. The start or end points are calculated ifnecessary and a query to collect all the start and end points may begenerated, and a query is generated that produces a constant set ofstart and end points defining consecutive periods, such that all thedata in the tables related to the original query is constant over eachof these periods. These two queries are merged into the original queryto produce a sequenced query capable of execution on various databasesoftware and capable of taking into account the range of values of thevariable in performing the original query.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,173 issued to James A. Meek et al. on Feb. 22, 2000describes a method and system for representation and use of shapeinformation in geographic databases. Polynomial equations are used togenerate control points for generating a Bezier curve for featurerepresentation. The disclosed method is sufficient to provide detailedgeospatial information on topological features but not on mediaentities. The lack of geographic positioning, dimensionality, andtimestamping does not provide the requisite data for geospatial mediamanagement.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,568 issued on Mar. 14, 2000 to Timothy McGrath etal. describes a transaction method and programming for incrementallyupdating a geographic database. The database taxonomy fails to capturethe date that the object was created or its geospacial location exceptwhen an entity is involved in a transaction. This level of geographicdetail is insufficient to provide detailed geospatial information onmedia entities and suffers deficiencies that include lack ofdimensionality and timestamping.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,234 issued on Apr. 4, 2000 to Kevin Cherveny et al.describes a system and method of updating, enhancing or refining ageographic database. In this system vehicles retrofitted with datacollecting sensors collect data with a feedback mechanism for inclusioninto a geographical database. Under this system operation geographicaldata is feed directly to databases on-board the vehicles. In thisspecification the data captured is topological data for a topologicalgeographical database. This level of geographic detail is insufficientto provide detailed geospatial information on media entities and suffersdeficiencies that include lack of dimensionality and timestamping.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,688 issued on May 9, 2000 to Paul E. Kilpatrick etal. describes a computer system that creates a metadata file havingrecords connected to geographic locations on a map. Users access a“Spacial Database Engine” to match longitude and latitude. Thisgenerates a data key whereby users can query a metadata database wherethe key is matched to locations in a geographic database and indexrecords, based on location, are presented. In this specification themetadata created is referenced to topological data from a topologicalgeographical database. This level of geographic detail is insufficientto provide detailed geospatial information on media entities and suffersdeficiencies that include lack of dimensionality, altitude referencingand timestamping.

Canadian Patent No. 2,112,101 issued on May 20, 2000 to David A. Wysockiet al. describes a positioning, navigation, and collision avoidancesystem for ships, aircraft, land vehicles and the like, which utilizes ageo-referenced digital orthophotograph database and a positioning signalto display upon a computer stereo graphics device a high visibilitydynamic photographic image of the user's immediate environment,including both moving and stationary obstacles.

Canadian Patent No. 2,174,934 issued on May 20, 2000 to Ronald D.Keithley et al. describes an interactive multimedia communicationssystem which access industry-specific information. An informationprocessing system for acquiring and displaying information relating to aspecific industry or interest.

European Patent No. 0,649,121 issued on Apr. 19, 1995 to Robert S.Barnhill et al. describes a digital data on-demand turnkey system at acustomer premise wherein N number of servers provide for 100% of contentdistribution of remotely stored digitized information, which informationmay be previewed in real-time, and product incorporating selecteddigitized information that can be manufactured on-site and within ashort response time to a customer's request at a point of sale location.

Canadian Patent No. 2,190,596 issued on May 20, 2000 to Theodore M.Lachinski et al describes a method for collecting and processing visualand spatial position information to form a geographic informationdatabase. Additionally, the information may be used to accuratelydetermine the spatial position of an object seen in the collected visualinformation.

Canadian Patent No. 2,219,037 issued on May 20, 2000 to Grant S. Killeyet al. describes an improved method and system that provides for a dataaccess interface layer in a navigation system. The navigation system isof the type that includes a navigation application software program thatprovides navigating features to a user of the system and a geographicdatabase stored on a computer-readable storage medium, wherein thegeographical database includes information relating to the geographicalregion about which the navigation system provides the navigationfeatures to the user.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an integrated information processing system forgeospatial media information processing. The information processingsystem includes a scheduling module, an acquisition module, a productionmodule, a distribution module, a geospatial data specification, and ageospatial media recorder. Each module incorporates a common objectdatabase management system. The scheduling module is a speciallyconfigured module suitable for processing requests for mediaacquisition. The acquisition module is a specially configured modulesuitable for acquiring visual, audio, textual, and geospatial entityinformation. The production module is a specially configured modulesuitable for producing integrated digital media, datasets, andinformation. The distribution module is a specially configured modulesuitable for distributing integrated digital media metadata, datasets,and information. The geospatial data specification serves to providegeospatial referencing of an entity or object in a video segment. Thegeospatial media recorder serves to encode geospatial referencingelements onto video frames at the time of video acquisition.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide anintegrated information processing system for processing visual, audio,textual and geospatial data.

It is another object of the invention to provide an integratedinformation processing system for processing geospatial media data.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an integratedinformation processing system capable of convergent distribution of datato any media outlet.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an integratedinformation processing system capable of providing acquisition ofgeospatial entities, such as geospatial temporal referencing.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which isinexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a block diagram of a first portion of a preferred datanetwork for a local operation center.

FIG. 1b is a block diagram of a second portion of the preferred datanetwork for a local operation center.

FIG. 1c is a block diagram of a third portion of the preferred datanetwork for a local operation center.

FIG. 1d is a block diagram of a fourth portion of the preferred datanetwork for a local operation center.

FIG. 2a is a block diagram of a first portion of a second preferred datanetwork for a regional operation center.

FIG. 2b is a block diagram of a second portion of the second preferreddata network for a regional operation center.

FIG. 2c is a block diagram of a third portion of the second preferreddata network for a regional operation center.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a preferred system for a geospatial mediainformation processing system.

FIG. 4a is a flowchart of a first portion of a first preferred computerprocess for a master activity program.

FIG. 4b is a flowchart of a second portion of the first preferredcomputer process for a master activity program.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a preferred scheduling module.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a second preferred computer process.

FIG. 7a is a flowchart of a first portion of a third preferred computerprocess for media planning scheduling activity.

FIG. 7b is a flowchart of a second portion of the third preferredcomputer process for media planning scheduling activity.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an acquisition module according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a fourth preferred computer process for digitalmedia acquisition activity.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a production module according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 11a is a flowchart of a first portion of a fifth preferred computerprocess for digital media production activity according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 11b is a flowchart of a second portion of the fifth preferredcomputer process for digital media production activity according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 11c is a flowchart of a third portion of the fifth preferredcomputer process for digital media production activity according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 11d is a flowchart of a fourth portion of the fifth preferredcomputer process for digital media production activity according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 11e is a flowchart of a fifth portion of the fifth preferredcomputer process for digital media production activity according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 11f is a flowchart of a sixth portion of the fifth preferredcomputer process for digital media production activity according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a sixth preferred computer process for amultimedia production system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a seventh preferred computer process formultimedia sales activity.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a distribution module according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 15a is an illustration of a first portion of a preferred rotatedprogramming format according to the present invention.

FIG. 15b is an illustration of a second portion of the preferred rotatedprogramming format according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a scheduling module according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 17a is a flowchart of a first portion of an eighth preferredcomputer process for management of customer relations activity.

FIG. 17b is a flowchart of a second portion of the eighth preferredcomputer process for management of customer relations activity.

FIG. 17c is a flowchart of a third portion of the eighth preferredcomputer process for management of customer relations activity.

FIG. 18a is a flowchart of a first portion of a ninth preferred computerprocess for marketing activity according to the present invention.

FIG. 18b is a flowchart of a second portion of the ninth preferredcomputer process for marketing activity according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 19a is a flowchart of a first portion of a tenth preferred computerprocess for market rating analysis according to the present invention.

FIG. 19b is a flowchart of a second portion of the tenth preferredcomputer process.

FIG. 19c is a flowchart of a third portion of the tenth preferredcomputer process.

FIG. 20a is a flowchart of a first portion of an eleventh preferredcomputer process for community advertising according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 20b is a flowchart of a second portion of the eleventh preferredcomputer process.

FIG. 20c is a flowchart of a third portion of the eleventh preferredcomputer process.

FIG. 20d is a flowchart of a fourth portion of the eleventh preferredcomputer process.

FIG. 20e is a flowchart of a fifth portion of the eleventh preferredcomputer process.

FIG. 20f is a flowchart of a sixth portion of the eleventh preferredcomputer process.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a twelfth preferred computer process forcompany advertising.

FIG. 22 is an illustration of a scheduling module according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 23 is an illustration of an executive information management systemmodule according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is an illustration of a knowledge management module according tothe present invention.

FIG. 25 is an illustration of a preferred class schema according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 26 is an illustration of a preferred UML Class according to thepresent invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an integrated system of hardware and softwaremodules for processing visual, audio, textual, and geospatialinformation. The integrated system uses a preferred process andarchitecture for improved data throughput, security, and scalability.

An integrated system 10 of modules according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. The integrated system 10 isa geospatial media information processing system (hereinafter referredto as GMIPS). GMIPS is preferably configured to include a plurality ofbase modules 12 for providing minimum functionalities of mediainformation processing. The base modules 12 incorporate informationprocessing and are developed for use in a specially designed cell-basedlocal area network (LAN) for each operating center. The base modules 12are preferably configured to include a scheduling module 14, anacquisition module 16, a production module 18, and a distribution module20. Each module 12 contains an information management softwareapplication 22. The information management software application 22 is aconventional object database management system (ODBMS). The ODBMS 22 hasa central application interface that provides data management andwarehousing administration. An ODBMS, like objectivity, may be used asthe central ODBMS.

The Scheduling Module. The scheduling module 14 serves to process allrequests for media acquisition. The scheduling module 14 also programs adaily production schedule, distribution-programming grid and datanetwork programming. The scheduling module 14 contains three informationapplications to provide media acquisition scheduling-namely a sharedODBMS 22, a shared geographic information system (GIS) application 24,and an information exchange program (not shown). Each application has aproprietary management front-end. Information concerning projectedproduction requests are entered into the ODBMS 22 and used by theprogramming department to schedule media acquisition. The GISapplication 24 provides geographic maps and computes least-cost-routingbased on identified positioning for efficient media acquisition. Thisinformation is also entered into the ODBMS 22 for use in development ofthe daily media acquisition schedules.

Following completion of media acquisition, a programming department alsouses specialized information applications to update the dailyprogramming grid and data network programming with newly produceddigital media datasets. The programming grid automatically programs thedistribution of media datasets by geographic area over distributionnetworks. The distribution is dependent on the type of media outletwhere the datasets will be distributed. The distribution module 20performs that actual distribution of datasets to private and publicinformation networks. The activity UML used in the scheduling module 14are listed in FIGS. 7a and 7 b.

Acquisition Module. The acquisition module 16 consists of threesub-modules consisting of the ODBMS 22, the shared GIS application 24,and equipment 30 defined in a geographic specific Digital MediaAcquisition System (DMAS) (not shown). DMAS equipment includes aGeospatial Media Recorder (GMR) 32 central receiving station on eachmobile DMAS system, local receivers that receive GMR information fromthe GMR 32 central receiving system, and a GMR video encoder (not shown)that is retrofitted for use on all digital media acquisition camcorders.The GMR video encoder (not shown) places on each frame of video,geospatial data. The GMR video encoder (not shown) uses specializedelectronic circuitry that is connected to a camcorders lens focus ratioapparatus to provide relative geographic positioning based on thecamcorder's focused field of vision. This relative position of thecamcorder's focused field of vision is then interpreted through the GMRvideo encoder (not shown) and the geospatial data of the viewed image isencoded on to each individual video frame. The encoding of geospatialdata is placed on an available data track of the video frame dependingon the video recorder in use. DMAS system equipment can be interchangedwith other digital media acquisition equipment based on geographic areaand/or technical specifications of media development. This flexibilityprovides for the inclusion of advanced digital video formats requiredwhen available. The activity UML used in the acquisition module is atFIG. 9.

Production Module. The production module 18 has three sub-modules thatinclude the shared ODBMS 22, a digital media production system(hereinafter referred to as DMPS) 36, and a multimedia production system(hereinafter referred to as MMPS) 38. The third shared DMPS 36 usesnative digital media editing and production equipment and MPEGgenerators for MPEG digital media creation. The digital media equipmentcan be upgraded based on new capabilities that are released in futureupgrades. The MMPS 38 uses a variety of equipment and selectedmultimedia creation software applications. The third shared DMPS 36 andMMPS 38 submodules automatically read GMR information into the sharedODBMS 22. For media that was not acquired through the DMAS, manual entryof GMR information will be entered into the shared ODBMS 22. For mediathat was not acquired through the DMAS (not shown), manual entry of GMRinformation will be entered into the ODBMS 22. Each module hasinformation processing applications that have proprietary enhancementsand provides seamless digital media development for any mediadistribution venue. Shown in FIGS. 11a-f are activity UMLs used in theproduction module.

Distribution Module. The distribution module 20 has two centralproprietary submodules 40 and six plug-in submodules 42 that aregeographic or distribution system dependent. The first one of the twocentral proprietary submodules 40 is the shared ODBMS 22. The second oneof the two central proprietary submodules 40 is a media query system(MQS) 43. The six plug-in submodules consist of a terrestrial submodule44, a cable system (CS) submodule 46, an open video system (OVS)submodule 48, a multipoint multichannel distribution system (MMDS)submodule 50, a wireless network submodule 52, and a data networksubmodule 52. The two central proprietary submodules 40 consist of sixsoftware applications to include the shared ODBMS 22, informationexchange application (not shown), an Internet information application(not shown), Internet site creator application (not shown), mediaquerying application (not shown) and XML parser (not shown). The sixplug-in submodules 42 provide for connectivity services to differentmedia outlets based on geographical area or distribution systemrequirements.

Shown in Table 1 is a list of equipment (or applications) that are usedbased on connectivity required by geographic area.

TABLE 1 Distribution Media Dataset Applications EQUIPMENT TERRES.PLATFORM BROADCSTNG APPLICATIONS Terrestrial DSS MPEG-2 SatelliteTerrestrial DTV Multichannel SDTV MPEG-2 Terrestrial DigitalMultichannel DTV MPEG-1 Active-X, Netshow, Datacasting Quicktime, RealVideo Cable Television/Open Video System/MMDS Cable System MPEGTransporter MPEG-2 OVS MPEG Transporter MPEG-2 MMDS MPEG TransporterMPEG-2 Wireless Wireless Hybrid Active-X, VFW, MPEG-1 Data Networks VPNATM Services MPEG-1 Cable Modem/ATM Hybrid Network MPEG-1 (DSL) InternetATM Services Active-X, Netshow, Quicktime, Real Video

The Terrestrial Submodule. Direct connection to a company's virtualprivate network (VPN) will provide distribution. The terrestrialsubmodule 44 is not expected to be implemented until datacastingcontracts have been implemented. MPEG-2 datasets will be distributedunder this network architecture. To provide the widest dissemination ofprogramming and repetitive marketing, a television-programming formatmay be designed based on a unique program rotation and is depicted atFIGS. 15a-b.

The CS, OVS, and MMDS Submodules. For connectivity to cable videodistribution systems, like cable TV, OVS, and MMDS, to provide MPEG-2digital media. Distribution to headends will also be available underthis distribution architecture. To provide the widest dissemination ofprogramming and repetitive marketing, a television-programming format isdesigned based on a unique program rotation and is depicted at FIGS.15a-b.

Wireless Network Submodule. For connectivity to wireless networks,hybrid network equipment will provide management and monitoring over ATMLAN—WAN interconnects. Media datasets will include various viewingcapabilities depending on connection speed and bandwidth.

Data Network Submodule. For connectivity to data networks, severalplug-in equipment systems with specific playback applications will beprovided as sub-modules. Playback applications have proprietaryfront-ends and additional functionalities. Distribution to a virtualprivate network (VPN), cable modem networks, DSL networks or any otherhigh-bandwidth is provisioned over an ATM LAN—WAN interconnect. Hybridnetworks equipment will perform user management and monitoring. Allcontent is provided over an WAN interconnect to the public Internet.Various digital media datasets will be distributed under this networkarchitecture.

GMIPS Specialty Modules. In addition to the base modules 12, the GMIPS10 may include a plurality of specialty modules 54 for providing overallmanagement of the GMIPS 10. The specialty modules 54 preferably includea first submodule 56 (hereinafter referred to as the Sales & MarketingCustomer Relationship Management or CRM module) specially configured fordissemination of sales and marketing information, a second submodule 58(hereinafter referred to as the Financial Enterprise Resource Planningor FERP module) specially configured for financial planning, a thirdsubmodule 60 (hereinafter referred to as the Executive InformationSystem or EIS module) specially configured for providing a proprietaryfront-end, and a fourth submodule 62 (hereinafter referred to as theKnowledge Management Information Decision Support System or KMIDSSmodule) for analyzation and knowledge discovery. Each one of thespecialty modules 54 has a proprietary front-end for different operatingcenters. More specifically, the front ends include, a local operationcenter (not shown), a regional operation center (not shown), a regionalproduction facility (not shown), and a central operation center (notshown). Each module has secure encrypted connectivity service todifferent centers by means of a VPN. Data relationships are set by levelto access data by operating level. These modules are not required forimplementation of the basic GMIPS system.

The (Sales and Marketing) CRM Module. The CRM module 56 serves todisseminate sales and marketing information throughout an enterprise.The CRM module 56 preferably includes the shared ODBMS module 22 and afirst relational database management system (RDBMS) 66. Three relationaldatabase management systems (RDBMS) (not shown) are created from theshared ODBMS module 22 and are accessed to consolidate information foruse by the marketing, sales, and central executive departments.Information concerning sales, advertising, and production informationcan be accessed via a company virtual private network (not shown). AnInternet information application is accessible for Internet relatedinformation. A marketing research department may use a separatelygenerated RDBMS (not shown) for statistical analysis. A statisticalanalysis RDBMS (not shown) may retain and analyze the followingdemographic information:

viewership (e.g., television, wireless, data network, etc.),

advertiser Solicitation,

monthly housing market data,

seller and buyer data,

VPN & Internet usage data,

multimedia magazine usage data,

mortgage referral data, and

real estate agency referral data.

This information may be compiled using proprietary data compilationfront-ends for different operating centers. Real-time data access mayprovide current demographic information regarding all areas of marketingmanagement. Financial information, is not accessible via the CRM module56. FIGS. 17a-21 show flowcharts of preferred processes executed byUMLs.

The FERP Module. The financial enterprise resource management (FERP)module 58 provides resource planning for each operating activity of anenterprise. The FERP Module 58 incorporates the shared ODBMS 22 and asecond RDBMS 70. The RDBMS 70 is created from the ODBMS 22. Access tothis module is user specific and requires handshake identification to aunique workstation GUID for authentication. The FERP 58 uses secureencrypted IPsec connectivity across a virtual private network (notshown). FERP analysis is conducted via an open database connectivity(ODBC) to financial analysis applications for financial reporting andanalysis.

The EIS Module. The EIS module 60 serves to provide a proprietaryfront-end for reporting information for each operating activity with theenterprise. Essentially, the EIS module 60 serves as an executiveinformation management system for the enterprise. Several predefinedperiodic (e.g., daily, weekly, and monthly) reports are provided foreach level of the enterprise. A report writer application is able toaccess data from all database management systems (DBMS) located anywherein the enterprise. Access to the EIS module 60 is user specific and willrequire handshake identification to a unique workstation GUID forauthentication. The EIS module 60 uses secure encrypted IPsecconnectivity across the VPN. Financial analysis information is only madeavailable on a user specific basis.

The KMIDSS Module. The KMIDSS module 62 serves to provide proprietaryapplications for analyzation and knowledge discovery based on datacontained in data repositories. Selected data obtained from the CRMmodule 56 or the FERP module 58 is retained in separate RDBMS for use bydecision support applications. The KMIDSS module 62 uses commerciallyavailable software applications. Authorized virtual private networkusers will be granted access the KMIDSS module 62.

Information Processing. Data concerning geospatial entities are obtainedthrough a variety of methods including direct data acquisition, use ofthe GMIPS acquisition module 16 and GMR 32, secondary databases, andother information sources. Each entity acquired by the GMR 32 includesgeographic coordinates (in decimal notation), altimetric position,timestamp data and coordinated Universal Time code (UTC). Whengeographic coordinates, altimetry, and timestamp parameters areconcatenated into any sequence and are stored, referenced or used indata processing, then concatenated data constitutes. GeoSpatial EntityObject Code (a.k.a., GEOCode). If geographic coordinates, altimetricposition, and timestamp data are stored in a object class under UMLmodeling schema or are stored in a concatenated data attribute undertextual, relational, or object-relational database schema, then thederived data type constitutes a GeoSpatial Entity Object Code (GEOCode).An ODBMS class schema is depicted in FIG. 25. A geospatial object classis shown in FIG. 26 in UML notation.

Timestamping. Under SQL-92 timestamping is defined as an object or dataattribute that contains data and time. The granularity of a specifieddata attribute depends on a database in a different fashion. For theGMIPS 10, a timestamp is defined as an object or data attributecontaining the date in YY-MM-DD format and time in hours-minutes-secondformat or any sequential order of these parameters. Additionally,timestamping may include a time zone based on Coordinated Universal Time(UTC) for the ODBMS 22 and an upgrade of the current version of thestructured query language (SQL) called SQL-3. Preferably, timestampingincludes any object or data attribute containing the date in YY-MM-DDformat and time in hours-minutes-second format and UTC time zone or anysequential order of these parameters.

Preprocessing. Data obtained through customer-provided information datasheets, direct observation, metering, or other database sources arescrubbed and entered into the GMIPS 10. Each object or record isautomatically updated with data obtained from public informationsources, which include the following:

property ownership records

U.S. Postal Service Addresses

Property Construction Information

Mortgage Records

Primary Data Processing. Primary data processing includes data obtainedand processed in the four base modules 12.

Secondary Data Processing. Secondary data processing includes datacreated or derived from the base modules 12. This includes data to beused for customer relationship management (CRM) and financial enterpriseresource planning (FERP) modules.

Post-processing. Post processing includes data used from the GMIPS basemodules 12 and specialty modules 54, which includes the CRM module 56and FERP module 58. Detailed reporting and compendiums are generatedfrom the EIS module 60. The KMIDSS module 62 is preferably provided in apost-processing module.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to thesole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. An integrated information processing system for geospatialinformation processing, said integrated processing system comprising:scheduling means for scheduling requests for acquisition of geospatialdata, said geospatial data including visual, audio, textual, andgeospatial information; acquisition means for acquiring geospatial data,said acquisition means comprising: encoding means for encodinggeospatial data onto a data segment of a video frame at a time ofgeospatial data acquisition; capturing means having a geospatialreceiver interconnected with a focus element at a first location, saidcapturing means being configured for capturing information of an entityat a second location, and geospatially referencing the second locationto the first location in accordance with a focus ratio of the focuselement and geospatial data associated with the geospatial receiver; andconverting means for converting global positioning system coordinates inlatitude and longitude format or decimal equivalent format andadditional spatial information into a single concatenated numericgeospatial data format or an encapsulated object class for encoding ontoa video frame at a time of media acquisition; production means forproducing integrated geospatial datasets; and distribution means fordistributing geospatial datasets; wherein said scheduling, acquisition,production, and distribution means are interconnected via an informationnetwork.
 2. The integrated information processing system recited inclaim 1, wherein said scheduling means comprises: object databasemanagement means for interconnecting information and data storagebetween each of said scheduling, acquisition, production, anddistribution means; geographic information means for providinggeographic and other information; and information exchange means forproviding exchange of geospatial information between said scheduling,acquisition, production, and distribution means.
 3. The integratedinformation processing system recited in claim 1, wherein saidacquisition means comprises: object database management means forinterconnecting information and data storage between each of saidscheduling, acquisition, production, and distribution means; geographicinformation system application means for providing geographic and otherinformation; and geospatial media recording means for recordinggeospatial data.
 4. The integrated information processing system recitedin claim 1, wherein said production means comprises: object databasemanagement means for interconnecting information and data storagebetween each of said scheduling, acquisition, production, anddistribution means; digital media production means for producing andediting digital media; and multimedia production means for producing andediting multimedia data.
 5. The integrated information processing systemrecited in claim 1, wherein said distribution means comprises: objectdatabase management means for interconnecting information and datastorage between each of said scheduling acquisition, production, anddistribution means; media query means for processing geospatialdatasets; transmission means for providing integrated delivery ofgeospatial datasets; and media programming scheduling means forproviding media through a time-shifting schedule.
 6. The integratedinformation processing system recited in claim 5, wherein saidtransmission means comprises: first transmission means for transmittinggeospatial datasets to terrestrial transmission systems; secondtransmission means for transmitting geospatial datasets to cabletelevision systems; third transmission means for transmitting geospatialdatasets to open video systems; fourth transmission means fortransmitting geospatial datasets to multimedia multipoint distributionsystems; fifth transmission means for transmitting geospatial datasetsto wireless networks; and sixth transmission means for transmittinggeospatial datasets to the Internet, intranets, extranets, and virtualprivate networks.
 7. The integrated information processing systemrecited in claim 1 further comprising: sales and marketing informationmeans for processing sales and marketing information, wherein said salesand marketing means comprises: object and relational database managementmeans for interconnecting information and data storage between each ofsaid scheduling, acquisition, production, distribution means, and saidsales and marketing means; natural language query means for retrievinginformation; and authentication means for providing system security. 8.The integrated information processing system recited in claim 1 furthercomprising: enterprise resource information means for processingenterprise resource information, wherein said enterprise resourceinformation means comprises: object and relational database managementmeans for interconnecting information and data storage between each ofsaid scheduling, acquisition, production, distribution, and enterpriseresource information means; natural language query means for retrievinginformation; and authentication means for providing system security. 9.The integrated information processing system recited in claim 1 furthercomprising: executive information means for processing information toselected entities, said executive information means comprising: objectand relational database management means for interconnecting informationand data storage between each of said scheduling, acquisition,production, distribution, and executives information means; naturallanguage query means for retrieving information; and authenticationmeans for providing system security.
 10. The integrated informationprocessing system recited in claim 1 further comprising: knowledgeinformation means for analyzing data to discover knowledge from datasources, wherein said knowledge information means comprises: object andrelational database management means for interconnecting information anddata storage between each of said scheduling, acquisition, production,distribution, and knowledge information means; natural language querymeans for retrieving information; and authentication means for providingsystem security.
 11. A geospatial information processing methodcomprising: scheduling requests for acquisition of geospatial data, thegeospatial data including visual, audio, textual, and geospatialinformation; encoding geospatial data onto a data segment of a videoframe at a time of geospatial data acquisition; interconnecting ageospatial receiver with a focus element at a first location; capturinginformation of an entity at a second location; geospatially referencingthe second location to the first location in accordance with a focusratio of the focus element and geospatial data associated with thegeospatial receiver; converting global positioning system coordinates inlatitude and longitude format or decimal equivalent format andadditional spatial information into a single concatenated numericgeospatial data format or an encapsulated object class for encoding ontoa video frame at a time of media acquisition; producing integratedgeospatial datasets; and distributing geospatial datasets.
 12. Thegeospatial information processing method recited in claim 11, whereinsaid scheduling step further comprises: interconnecting information anddata storage; providing geographic and other information; and exchanginggeospatial information.
 13. The geospatial information processing methodrecited in claim 11, wherein said capturing step further comprises:interconnecting information and data storage; providing geographic andother information; recording geospatial data; and exchanging geospatialinformation.
 14. The geospatial information processing method recited inclaim 11, wherein said producing step further comprises: interconnectinginformation and data storage; editing and producing digital media;editing and producing multimedia data; and exchanging geospatialinformation.
 15. The geospatial information processing method recited inclaim 11, wherein said distributing step further comprises:interconnecting information and data storage; processing geospatialinformation; transmitting integrated geospatial datasets; and exchanginggeospatial information.
 16. The geospatial information processing methodrecited in claim 15, wherein said transmitting step further comprises:transmitting geospatial datasets to terrestrial transmission systems;transmitting geospatial datasets to cable television systems;transmitting geospatial datasets to open video systems; transmittinggeospatial datasets to multimedia multipoint distribution systems;transmitting geospatial datasets to wireless networks; and transmittinggeospatial datasets to the Internet, intranets, extranets, and virtualprivate networks.
 17. The geospatial information processing methodrecited in claim 11 further comprising: processing sales and marketinginformation.
 18. The geospatial information processing method recited inclaim 11 further comprising: processing enterprise resource information.19. The geospatial information processing method recited in claim 11further comprising: processing information to selected entities.
 20. Thegeospatial information processing method recited in claim 11 furthercomprising: analyzing data to discover knowledge.